If you are a woman

If you are a woman: Women are more likely to get an STI than an a man. Women are also more likely to be infected with an STI and not know it because they have no symptoms.

Prevention: There are only two ways to completely prevent STI transmission: 1. stay sexually abstinent (do not have sex) or 2. engage in sexual activity with one monogamous partner who does not have any STIs.

For many people, these two options are not viable. The next safest thing to do is to use a new condom the right way for every sexual act (including oral sex…HIV can be transmitted this way). Try watching this video for more information.
**Important things to remember when using condoms**

* Use a new condom for EVERY sexual act. If you put a condom on the wrong way, DO NOT flip it over and try to use it, because there will probably already be semen on it. Use a new condom instead.
* Make sure to leave a reservoir tip at the end, smooth out any air bubbles, and roll down the condom the entire way to the base of the penis.
* It is strongly recommended to use an oil or water based lubricant to reduce the risk of slippage or tearing
* Do not store condoms in any place that can get too hot or too cold, including a wallet, the car, etc
* Check the expiration date of every condom
* Even with perfect use, YOU CAN STILL CONTRACT AN STI.

To be even safer, ask your partner to get tested for STIs before you engage in sexual activity. Although it may be uncomfortable and certainly goes against the heat of the situation, it just isn’t worth it to contract an STI. You can get free STI testing at a local Planned Parenthood.

Treatment: Depending on the STI you acquire, there are different treatments. Some require simple antibiotics. However, for any virus (HIV, HPV, Genital Warts), there is no cure and hardly any treatment. These are lifelong diseases that will not go away. Unfortunately, these three are some of the most conspicuous infections in that you can have it symptom-free for years. So, the myth that you can “check someone out” (visually inspect their genitalia) to determine whether or not they have an STI is dangerous. Even if someone looks “clean” or like they would not have an STI, keep in mind that by age 25, 50% of people will have had at least one STI. You can never be too sure.